I met Bai Weng, a young Muslim mother who sells pastil/patil outside the Margsaysay Park of Tacurong when I took a respite from my walk around the downtown area. Over a mug of 3-in-1 coffee, we had a talk, although, it took sometime before she trusted me. At the start of our conversation, she would just answer my question, but later, she volunteered information related to what we were discussing. I found her intelligent.

I was surprised to find that she walks with a limp until she told me that she was a cripple as a child, a polio victim. At ten, an American Christian missionary found her and brought her to Sasa, Davao city where the mission house was located, unfortunately, she forgot the name of the missionary and the group. She told me that she got operated at the San Pedro Hospital of Davao and after a few months of therapy, she was able to walk, though with a limp. She also confided that among the group of the indigents that the missionary group was helping, she was the only Muslim.

She got married and settled at the Muslim village of barangay Griῆo where she gave birth to seven children. Her husband does odd jobs to earn while she runs a store and pastil stand outside the city plaza, behind the tennis court. She also told me about her 10-year old son who sells soft brooms made from a kind of swamp reed and who earns substantially. Her son does his vending around the city and Lambayong, a neighboring town, on Saturdays and Sundays. According to Bai Weng, her son at his young age, acts independently. He buys his own bath and laundry soap, toothpaste and school uniform.

During my frequent stops at her store, I found out that she uses the “Bombay fund” – money borrowed from motorcycle-riding Indian nationals. She confided that without the fund, she would not have known where to find her start-up fund for her small business. Out of the small-time loans, she was able to invest on two big outdoor umbrellas, school bags for the kids, malongs, and TV.

I am fascinated at the way Bai Weng prepares the pastil, deftly wrapping the rice topped with shredded chicken cooked for hours in oil and soy sauce. She cooks the pastil topping herself in the evening, a batch of two kilos of which could last for one day.

I keep on encouraging Bai Weng to go on with her sacrifice and should be consoled by her children who are all well-behaved, especially, the 10-yearld who sells brooms and whom I found out to be maintaining high grades.

Bai Weng is among the people who inspires me to go on with my advocacy…

Cars shall be operated by powerful and intelligent chips that contain maps of all countries all over the world. These chips can also be fed with directional information so that by just touching addresses, they could glide on their own towards them.

Gliding vehicles shall be equipped with a feature that could automatically avoid obstacles.

The vehicle of the future shall, practically, be an intelligent robot that could also detect the “malfunction” of the body of passengers, such as, onset of high blood pressure, heart failure, etc.

The vehicle of the future shall have a body with multi-layered “scale-like” cover to allow it to extend or expand as necessary, and could travel on land, water and air.

Changing of body organs with synthetic ones made of a super lightweight metal that would not rust and would be much lighter and stronger than titanium would become an ordinary clinical procedure. Today, it is being done, but more are coming.

Ulcer shall be a disease of the past as affluent patients shall have an option to replace their intestines with some kind of absorbent foam-like material equipped with processors of synthetic, though, highly energetic foods contained in capsules which shall become a fad among the rich.

Intelligent robotic homes of the future shall be equipped with gadgets that could “repel” human intruders with bad intention, as well as, accidental fire. Gates shall have chips that could store information on faces of frequent or unwanted visitors.

In the future, different colors of the body aura could be interpreted by a super scanner. Colors of diseases could also be identified, same as with the colors of various characters. In this regard, people with criminal intention could already be intercepted at the gates of subdivisions or entrances of malls and condominium buildings, as they shall be provided with these scanners as a requirement.

A gadget that could be strapped around the head to read the mind of the wearer shall be developed. It could be programmed to have compatibility with TV, radio, and phones, and could be connected to an “amplifier” to allow the invalid and bed-bound persons to communicate with people around them.

Televised religious service shall prevail over the “personally” conducted at the traditional venues such as churches and mosques or masjids.

Priesthood shall evolve further to have a more professional character, with priests allowed to marry, and nuns allowed to say Mass, but shall definitely not be allowed to marry. Priests and nuns shall be required to have IDs and their profession regulated by a “federation of religious groups” in coordination with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Today, the Roman Catholic church observes a “rotation” of 6-yearterm for each parish priest, and “some kind” of a “rest day” but spent in “some kind” of “weekly meeting” of parish priests at the Diocesan centers, but which unfortunately, I viewed by the uninformed as “day off”.

Mind scanning equipment will be invented complete with a feature that could print texts and images straight from the mind.

The sun, wind, and ocean current shall become popular as alternative sources of energy and shall cause many of the gas stations to close. Even the motion of the body shall become a source of energy for small gadgets such as cellphone, radio, hearing aid, etc.

Developers of condominium buildings shall be required by the local governments to utilize their rooftops as prep-school facilities before the building permit could be issued to them.

Viewers may call me crazy but the inventors of cars and the Wright brothers who invented the airplane were called such during their time.

Like this:

“Living in defense mechanisms is just a mere façade. Pick yourself up, let go of harrowing things and gut-wrenched thoughts you are a failure.” Those were silent utterances at the back of my mind after realizing that everything in my life was an outright mess. These thoughts actually came by after listening to Jack Johnson playlist while I was in Vietnam.

I am Ire. I am just like other people who dream…who set one’s heart for good things, inclined to just live happy. At a little past 30, I had my fair share of rejections, elfin heat heartaches, even baffled instances that would lead to toil up my way with so much effort.

Looking back and before having a daughter, I was that slap-happy that displayed a nonchalant sort of disposition. I reveled in solo backpacking trips around the country and abroad, taking photos of temples, countryside, food, beaches and others that take my fancy. I took pleasure out of my savings while doing online English tutorial job. Shove my ass off working for several months then travel, after which I came back again to Mindanao after 8 years of living in Iloilo where I took up AB Psychology at the University of the Philippines in Miag-ao. Then on, I habituated myself to what living is here – simple, and everything just minutes away.

I gained friends…and, unfortunately, gained weight. I became a Psychology instructor at the Notre Dame of Marbel University (Koronadal City) where I reaped most of my good memories. In the academe, you get to be fulfilled but at times hated for giving failing grades. That was the beauty of teaching that amused me.

I woke up one day to a letter of invitation for me work in Hanoi, Vietnam as Academic Coordinator at Oxford English Academy. It was a challenge that I did not let go as the opportunity promised travel and fair wage. Several times in the past, I had been to Ho Chi Minh as a backpacking tourist but never been to the cosmopolitan city of Hanoi which purportedly has four seasons. The thought of experiencing “autumn” and “winter” got me excited, so that in no time, had me packing my things and finally booked for the first available flight. And, to make the story of excitement short, I got hired.

In the house where I stayed, I was with Portuguese, Vietnamese, and British nationals. Weekends would see us having dinners, wine with cheese on Tuesdays. We also enjoyed short trips to Thailand and Cambodia, but enjoyed most Vietnamese cakes and coffee that drowned our yearning for home.

From our home, I took two-hour bus ride to school, an opportunity for me to enjoy the patter of raindrops when rain caught me along the way, making me emotional at times. I was pregnant then, and I had to say “bao” (Vietnamese for pregnant) each time I took the bus hoping that a gentleman would give up his seat for me. I find Vietnamese autumn and winter not for me as I had to wear layers of clothes and boots to keep me warm.

I finally decided to go back home to the Philippines in time for the “arrival” of my pretty Martina. To sustain our survival, I worked as Behavioral Management Therapist in a hospital, giving occupational therapy to children with special needs. The job was so challenging and compensating, especially, when I see the happiness of parents whose children have gained improvement…a priceless reward for me as it manifested success on my part.

My love for food made me come up with Abrazo Rustico Resto-Café in Tacurong City. As I love challenges, it also gave me an opportunity to sort of test the waters of café business, as well as, provide a cozy nook for food trippers and coffee lovers like me. Initially, the café was located at the City Plaza building, and staffed with hardworking and eager team. Today, it is located along the highway, beside the Dragon gas station, a few steps from the NDTC campus.

Having still extra time on hand, I continued my behavioral management endeavor and came up with Little Hands Day Care, a small clinic catering to the needs of special children to help them overcome their disability. I knew it would entail understanding, patience…patience…and, more patience but I did not mind. My Martina has been giving me more inspiration that I could ask for. She has been helping me understand my purpose in life, thus, avoiding feeling emotionally kicked out of poor frustration and tolerance.

Today, as I recall my life inside a Vietnamese bus, tackling the 2-hour drive to my job in Hanoi makes me smile. Yes, I enjoyed my stay in Hanoi, what with the sight of long traffic of motorcycles that gave me fear in crossing the street, the bone-tearing winter, the smell of mint leaves, the super bitter coffee I still crave for, generous multi-national friends, and sunset viewed from Westlake. Despite the unexplained feeling of living in a strange place, I was immensely enjoying myself.

That is how it is with me…with my firm resolve in doing things despite failures at times. I must admit that I am a dreamer and this tendency even makes me forget my flights for Asian backpacking sorties…and, which happened twice! Well, that is life and I know that it can happen as I gain more maturity.

When a facebook friend, Macmac Albenio Delfin referred to me a resto café with an Italian sounding name, I was intrigued. The name he mentioned was Abrazo Rustico Resto Café which when I checked, found it to be within what the Tacurongnons refer to as “Dragon area”, the name being that of a gasoline station-cum-convenient store-cum open-air café. But the Abrazo is an air-conditioned cozy enclave fronting the highway and a few steps from the aforementioned station.

I was hoping that after an unfortunate experience in another coffee shop with a name that I would rather forget, this time around, I would be lucky enough to have a better encounter. Just the same, as I had my lesson, I did not expect so much from the service crew of Abrazo.

Fortunately, I was more than satisfied when I opened the door and was greeted by the smiling guys at the counter. The café was unpretentiously simple, yet cozy. Compared with other cafes, Abrazo is small which however, has become an advantage as it made the atmosphere assume a homey ambiance. I immediately ordered my favorite coffee mix – cappuccino which came thick in consistency, with accompanying two tube sachets of branded muscovado sugar…another plus for health-conscious customers.

Looking around, I was impressed immediately by the miniature antique typewriter safely entrenched in a frame on the wall. Practically, the interior was Italian, even the food offerings. I found out later that Abrazo is popular among students of the nearby VMC, as in a little while, three students came to make an order of pizza and one of the joint’s popular mixed cool drinks. As I observed the satisfaction on the faces of the young customers, I asked their permission for a photo to which they obliged. During that quick visit I failed to meet the owner and resolved to come back in the afternoon to try my luck. At that juncture, I opened up myself to the café staff by revealing to them that I was a blogger, although, they have already permitted me to take photos of the joint without much ado, a show of pride for their coffee shop.

When I came back early in the afternoon, two of the staff were talking to a young petite and pretty lady, who I found later found to be the owner. My effort finally paid up! And, I was more than rewarded when I found out that the two gentlemen who just finished their coffee were officers of a reputable bank in Isulan and Tacurong City….proof enough that indeed, Abrazo was a class by itself. The gentlemen gave me their permission to post their photo that I took, but I opted to withhold their name.

The owner of Abrazo assumes a facebook name as IRE YSABELLE and I want to maintain her identity as such. What’s important to me at the time was my having touched base with her to express my admiration for her guts in venturing into an arena overflowing with cutthroat competition as the city is literally dotted with various kinds of food outlets from the traditional “pastilan”, carinderia, “batchoyan”, “barbecuehan” and open-air cafeterias.

I assumed however, that her courage is enflamed by her penchant for Italian foods, foremost of which is the pizza and java beverages that the joint’s barista yummily concocts. Simply put, she is fond of Italian foods, a variation of Mediterranean cuisine. Her fondness is shown by Abrazo’s various food and drink offerings that customers may not tire of coming back. By the way, customers who want to relax while tapping on their smartphone or laptop may be glad to know that wi-fi access is free!…check out “Abrazo Rustico” on fb to find more about this joint operated and staffed by energetic young-blooded Mindanaoans.

With just 2 weeks to go before the big event, the organizers of the Cebu Dragon Boat Fiesta 2017 are bracing to host a record-breaking 1000 plus participants for this summer’s newest sizzler! For a new event, Cebu is serving notice to the international dragon boat community – as well as the local dragon boat authorities – that the potential of Cebu as a dragon boat hub for the Philippines is truly a very attainable goal.

It’s time. Paddles up, everyone!!! (courtesy of dragonboat.ph)

Already, there are 1,013 paddlers registered, with others still signifying their intention to join. It is a record, as the 1,000 threshold has never been breached in any previous dragon boat event in the country. This augurs well for the sport, and for youth development in general, as it indicates a growing interest in a sport that we can excel in, and where we actually used…

There’s more to the smile of Nene who sells any fruit in season along the highway going to barangay San Pablo of Tacurong City. She had been through the harrowing trials as a young mom at 16 and a single mom before she reached 20. Her parents were from Iloilo who migrated to Kapingkong a rice growing barangay of Tacurong.

Looking back her younger days, she told me that to be able to help her parents, she became an itinerant vendor when she was in Grade 3. She sold just anything, such as balut (boiled unhatched duck egg), rice cakes and fruits. She confided that she used to climb the high fence of the National Food Authority (NFA) instead of taking the circuitous footpath that led to the compound’s gate to be able to bring her basket of goodies to the employees quickly. Despite all the hardship, she was able to finish her high school, but fortunately, settled down at the young age of 16.

She doubled her effort as a vendor when she became a single mom. During the early 70s, she did not need much capital as her supplier trusted her with the then, prevailing “alsada system” or consignment. That was how she was able to earn and save more money to expand her “business”. She would also carry on her head sacks of fruits, herself, to save on the porterage. During the time, her three daughters were in high school and as they would transfer from one rented shack to another, one of her daughters tearfully told her that in school, she was taunted that they lived like chicken. She consoled her daughter not to mind her classmates who looked down on her. To save on food, Nene and her daughters subsisted on a “pastil” each (a one-dish meal of rice topped with a spoonful of shredded chicken and wrapped in banana leaf) as breakfast.

As a single hardworking mom, she almost spread herself too thinly…and there were times when she felt like giving up. But, seeing how her daughters diligently pursued their studies despite financial difficulties, she more than doubled her courage and effort. She confided that did not attend a single meeting in school because her time was devoted to earning their daily subsistence. All her daughters graduated from the Notre Dame of Tacurong Girls’ Department, today, Sienna College and it was only during such occasion that she really took time to show herself up in school.

She is consoled today by the thought that she did not buckle down despite various pressure in her life and instead, has been able to have two daughters finish Nursing course, with the third, that of BS Commerce. Still selling fruits at 53, Nene, does not mind as her weariness at the end of the day is vanished by the giggles of her four grandchildren. They have their own big house in barangay San Pablo. She ended our conversation with her parting words, “nobody should be ashamed to work hard in order to survive”.